Facelift Details

Types of Facelifts

Numerous adaptations of facelift procedures are available today and each surgical method has its own benefits. The traditional techniques effectively achieve the removal of extra skin but what distinguishes the variations in facelifts is the approach to the deeper soft tissue structures. The traditional facelift addresses the lower two-thirds of your face and neck, removing excess skin and fat while tightening the muscles.

The Traditional or Standard Facelift – A traditional facelift can correct:

• Loose skin
• Sagging jowl
• Fat deposits
• Creases below your lower eyelids
• Mid-face sagging
• Creases around the mouth
• Double chin

The Endoscopic Facelift – The endoscopic facelift is minimally invasive and virtually scar less. This method uses tiny incisions and a miniature camera to help in lifting the cheeks and upper face.

The endoscopic facelift can correct:

• Sagging brow
• Frown lines
• Sagging cheeks
• Cheek folds
• Lines around your mouth
• Sagging jowls
• Sagging mid-face

Since the method of performing facelift surgery varies from patient to patient, Dr. V always chooses the procedure to best suit your specific needs and both the traditional and endoscopic lifts can be performed alone or in combination with other procedures. Although a facelift may take years off of your appearance, it is important to recognize what it can and cannot do. A facelift primarily corrects the lower half of your face while a midface lifts your cheeks and lower eyelids. Neither technique corrects the signs of aging in the upper face, however. That’s why many of our patients at The Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts combine procedures for optimal transformation of their lower face and neck. A brow lift, eyelid surgery, forehead lift, BOTOX®, or laser skin rejuvenation may be performed in conjunction with facelift surgery to enhance results and complete your overall rejuvenation process. During your initial consultation, Dr. V will evaluate your medical health and the condition of your skin. After listening to any questions or concerns you might have, she will recommend the procedure or combination of procedures that will best achieve the results you desire.

The Facelift Procedure

Typically, facelift surgery can be performed with local anesthesia allowing you to remain conscious without feeling any pain, or with general anesthesia, which puts you to sleep for the duration of the procedure. Although the size and location of the incisions differ, Dr. V makes every effort to place them in areas where potential scarring will be least noticeable. The amount of tissue removed also fluctuates and Dr. V will often trim or suction excess fat from the neck and chin to improve facial contour. Once the proper amount of tissue has been removed, your facelift incisions will be closed.

In general, the four main stages of facelift surgery are:

• The incision
• The smoothing of the skin
• The removal of excess tissue
• The closure of the incisions

Contact The Virginia Institute of Surgical Arts by clicking here or calling 703-327-8200.